The numbers are a small sampling but encouraging for Universal, because they compare with those of another well-known musical brought to the screen by the studio, "Mamma Mia." That movie grossed more than $600 million worldwide in 2008.

"Les Miserables" opens in the U.S. and Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain on Christmas Day, followed by Australia on Wednesday and Hungary on Thursday. The rest of the international will release in come 2013, including the U.K. and Ireland on Jan. 11.

The studio received more good "Les Miserables" news over the weekend. In its first day of sales, "Les Miserables" is the top soundtrack and No. 3 album on iTunes. “I Dreamed A Dream” is leading soundtrack song and No. 1 on Amazon.'s Movers and Shakers list.Les